Students reminded about ‘stranger danger’ after pre-teen sexually assaulted in Surrey

Some Cloverdale elementary school students were reminded about “Stranger Danger” after police say an 11-year-old girl was sexually assaulted.

Police issued a news release Wednesday asking the public for help in finding a man who allegedly grabbed an 11-year-old girl “on the buttocks” Tuesday around 5:40 p.m. in the 18800-block of 65th Avenue.

After the incident, police say the 11-year-old turned around to face the man, who then apologized and ran away.

Officers were unable to locate the suspect.

Surrey RCMP describe the suspect as a white man in his 30s, approximately six feet tall and was wearing blue jeans, a light coloured shirt and a light coloured baseball hat at the time of the incident. According to the victim, the man may have had stubble on his face as well.

The Surrey School District told the Now-Leader it sent letters home Wednesday to parents of three schools in the immediate area: Hillcrest, Adams Road and Don Christian.

“The letter shares the information in the police news release,” said spokesman Doug Strachan. “Of course, the information is also shared with staff and our Safe Schools department is always involved.”

Strachan couldn’t say whether the 11-year-old victim was a student of one of the nearby schools.

Surrey RCMP would like to offer a few safety tips for residents to improve their safety:

Don’t take shortcuts. Use main routes and avoid lanes, forested or secluded areas.

Walk with friends.

Tell someone where you are going and when you will be back.

Phone home when leaving a friend’s house and say when you will be home.

Trust your instincts.

Phone home if you are going to be delayed, or if your plans change.

Anyone with more information is asked to contact the Surrey RCMP at 604-599-0502.

If they wish to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS or solvecrime.ca.